Margaret Urciuoli remembered for weaving together community

As a hobby, Margaret Urciuoli produced handmade Nantucket lightship baskets and invited locals to learn how to make them. That was just one way she helped weave together the community on Casey Key.

She served on the board of the Casey Key Library and often hosted the annual author talks for the library at her home. After serving on the board for Girls Inc. of Western Connecticut for 30 years, she continued to support the organization as a member of the Champions for Girls Giving Circle in the Sarasota County branch after she relocated to Casey Key. 

“She always believed in the value of a good education and good mentoring for young people,” said husband Archie Urciuoli.
     
Margaret “Maggie” Urciuoli, 73, of Casey Key and formerly of New York City and Greenwich, Conn., died Sept. 19.

“She was probably one of the most uplifting and positive women I have ever had the privilege to know,” said Sherry Watts, past president for Girls Inc. of Sarasota County. 

Born March 8, 1942, Mrs. Urciuoli was raised in Old Greenwich, Conn. She graduated with a degree in fine arts from Boston University.

Mrs. Urciuoli became a well-known oil painter as a young woman and later in life became an avid golfer. With partner Bobbie Schoonmaker, she founded and ran Small Ideas, a producer of fine antique furniture reproductions in miniature, for almost 20 years. 

The Urciuolis moved to Casey Key in 1999. Mrs. Urciuoli is survived by her husband of 49 years, J. Arthur “Archie” Urciuoli; children, Caryn Sloan Jacoby, of Greenwich, and Christian Urciuoli, of New York City; and five grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Nov. 10, at the Ewing Chapel, in Venice. Donations can be made in Mrs. Urciuoli’s memory to Girls Inc. of Sarasota County.